Engine starter



Nov. 23, 1965 J. L. MERCER ETAL ENGINE STARTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2'7, 1964 Ndv. 23, 1965 J. L. MERCER ETAL ENGINE STARTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1964 IN V EN TORS United States Patent 6 3,219,021 ENGINE STARTER John L. Mercer, Crabil Road, and John J. Brunner, 813 E. Southern Ave., both of Springfield, Ohio Filed Apr. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 362,741 17 Claims. (Cl. 123-179) This invention relates to engine starters of the type normally used on lawn mowers, small tractors and similar mechanized equipment. It provides a versatile starter mechanism which is selectively operable to facilitate a manual or a powered starting of an engine, as needs may require. Invention embodiments feature mechanism which obviates the incidence of damage thereto in the event of engine backfire. The invention further affords means precluding the interference of starter mechanism with the associated engine mechanism once the engine attains its normal operating function.

In the use of a selective starter system of the nature characterized by the present invention, one achieves a greater flexibility in the application and use of the small gasoline engine. Moreover, in fabricating a starter unit in accordance with the invention, one achieves an engine starter which is less subject 'to wear, malfunction and damage in use.

A primary object of the present invention is to provlde an engine starter unit which is economically fabricated, more efiicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a selective starter mechanism which may be particularly adapted for use with small gasoline engines and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a starter unit for small engines and the like which may be selectively operated through the medium of either a manual or a powered impulse.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a starter unit for small gasoline engines or the like so formed to obviate the incidence of wear or damage in the event of engine backfire.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved engine starter which will entertain a minimal amount of wear in use.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a starter unit affording a more positive driving impulse for initiating the operation of a small gasoline engine or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an engine starter which will positively disassociate itself from an engine as the engine is induced thereby toassume its normal operating function.

A further object of the invention is to provide an engine starter possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

- Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a fragmentary schematic view, in longitudinal section, of an engine starter. in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the unit as shown in FIG. 1 with a cover plate removed to illustrate certain details;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section taken on line 33 of FIG. 1 with certain details eliminated for clarity of disclosure;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross sectional views of the starter unit which respectively illustrate operative and inoperative positions of its manual drive mechanism being taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 1, and with a main housing omitted;

FIG. 6 is a detail plan view of a control cam utilized in conjunction with the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 4 and S;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a ratchet element;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary schematic view of structure shown on line 88 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating a clutch device by means of which the starter may actuate an associated engine, being taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 1.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The starter as shown in the drawings includes an electric motor 10 having at one end thereof a shell 11 forming a generally rectangular chamber 12. Positioned adjacent and parallel to a wall 13 of the chamber 12 is a projected extremity of the motor drive shaft 14. The outermost extremity of the shaft 14 extends through an Orlon bearing 15 arranged at right angles thereto. The bearing 15 has a flatted surface portion which abuts and bears against the adjacent wall 13. Fixed on the shaft 14 immediately inward of the bearing 15 is a worm 16 arranged to mesh with a worm gear 17. The worm and the associated gear 17 mutually occupy a transverse plane generally perpendicular to the wall 13.

The gear 17 has a central aperture defined by a hublike bearing portion 18 which receives therethrough a cylindrical shaft 19. The shaft 19 has a relatively enlarged rectangularly formed end portion 20. Noting FIG. 1 of the drawings, shaft portion 20 projects above the gear 17 and provides a shoulder abutted by such gear.

The face 21 of the gear 17 most adjacent the shaftportion 20 includes two circularly spaced, diametrically displaced, relatively projected ramps 22. The ramps 22 are directed in the same sense. Each ramp has a gradually sloping exterior surface portion 23 which terminates, in abrupt fashion, in a wall portion 24 arranged perpendicular to the gear face 21.

Slidably mounting on the shaft portion 20 is a split sleeve 25. The sleeve 25 consists of two relatively op-. posed plate-like bars 26 the respective extremities of which coextensively abut. The middle portions of these bars have a V-shape and mutually depart to form a rectangular sleeve opening of a size to accept the shaft portion 20.

Bolt type connector elements 27, each having a head to one end and a threadedly engaged nut 28 to its other end, are projected through aligned apertures in the end portions of the bars 26. Each element 27 mounts a coil spring 29 to either side of the bars 26 in a manner readily seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings. By means of the springs 29, respectively contained against the bars 26 by means of a bolt head and a nut 28, the bars 26 are normally biased to maintain their ends in coextensive abutting relation. This enables a drive of the shaft 19 through the medium of the sleeves 25 in a manner to be further described.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings it may be seen that the outermost end of the shaft portion 20 is circumferentially notched to accommodate a retainer ring 30. Positioned about the shaft portion 20 between the ring 30 and the sleeve 25 is a coil spring 31. The spring 31 is so formed to provide a bias of the sleeve 25 against the gear face 21. On relative positioning of the sleeve 25 to dispose its respectively projected extremities clear of the ramp surfaces 23, such extremities will seat to the gear face 21, respectively in advance of a ramp wall 24.

Thus, on energizing the motor to drive the shaft 14 in an appropriate direction, the gear 17 will turn and, through the medium of the wall portions 24 of the ramps 22, normally drive the respectively projected extremities of the sleeve 25. Due to the normal bias containment of the bars 26 by the springs 29, on drive of the sleeve 25 the shaft 19 will be driven therewith through the medium of its contained rectangular portion 20'. This affords a direct transmission of a starting or driving impulse to an associated engine through structure to be further described.

It should be readily seen that if circumstances should inadvertently produce a reversing impulse on the shaft 19, this impulse would be transmitted to the sleeve 25 through the medium of the rectangular shaft portion 20. As this occurs, the respective ends of the sleeve will be reversely moved until interrupted by an abutment with the oppositely driven wall surfaces 24 on the ramps 22. On continuance of the reversing impulse, the counterrotation of the rectangular shaft portion 20 will induce a spreading separation of the sleeve bars 26 against the influence of the springs 29. This spreading accommodates the reversing impulse in a manner that one avoids a consequent damage to the starter mechanism herein described.

Viewing FIG. 1 of the drawings, intermediate its vertical extremities, immediately adjacent and spaced from the surface of gear 17 remote from its face 21, the shell 12 is bridged by a transverse wall portion 32. The wall portion 32 includes an aperture defined by a relatively dependent cylindrical hub portion 33 accommodating the shaft 19. The shaft 19 includes a threaded end portion which projects from the hub 33 to be threadedly engaged by a tubular ratchet body 34. The threaded engagement of the body 34 to the shaft 19 at the dependent extremity of hub 33 provides for their conjoint rotation and function in a manner to be further described. While the body 34 is made separable from the shaft 19 for convenience of manufacture and assembly it could be made unitary therewith if desired and is in effect a part of a shaft means.

The peripheral wall of the shell 11 depends in radially expanded concentrically spaced relation about the projected hub 33. This forms an annular recess the base of which is defined by the wall section 32. Nesting in this recess about and in bearing relation to the hub 33 is an annular casting 36. One face of the casting 36 includes a hub 37 which in the operative position of the casting projects to relatively abut and bear on the wall section 32. Hub 37 has a chord-like slot 38 by means of which it anchors one end of a concentrically coiled leaf spring 39. The leaf spring 39 is conventionally coiled and includes, at its outermost extremity, a hook portion which conventionally anchors to suitable means on an adjacent wall portion of the shell 12.

The casting 36, which is relatively shallow from face to face, includes a relatively deep circumferential recess 40. Opening through one face of the casting 36 from the inner end of the recess 40 is a passage, not shown. This passage accommodates the projection therethrough of one end of a control cable 41, which end is knotted at the outer face of the casting. So anchored at one end, the cable 41 is coiled about itself in the recess 40 as evidenced in the drawings. The outermost end of the cable 41 is arranged to project through an opening in the peripheral wall of shell 12 in a plane common to that of the recess 40 where it is suitably anchored to an operator element 52.

The face of the casting 36 remote from its hub portion 37 is recessed to form an annular shoulder 42 immediately about the hub 33. Within this recessed portion of the casting, from a plane common to that of the shoulder 42, the hub 33 has a uniformly reduced external diameter. Fixed about this reduced portion of the hub 33 to radially project and overlie the shoulder 41 is a retainer ring 43. The ring 43 serves to contain the casting 36 so its hub portion 38 bears on the plate 32. As a result, the spring 39 is confined to operate in a limited plane immediately adjacent the plate 32.

A friction washer 44, applied about the reduced portion of the hub 33, is spaced from the retainer ring 43, by a spring washer 65 and followed by a generally annular cam plate 45. The plate 45 is held to the hub by a conventionally engaged retainer ring 46. Noting FIG. 1 of the drawings, the cam plate 45 is thereby positioned adjacent the outer or lowermost end of the hub 33, spaced outwardly of the lowermost face of the casting 36 and immediately adjacent the ratchet body 34. The spring washer 65 puts pressure against the friction washer 44 and, in turn, against the cam plate 45 whereby to frictionally hold the cam plate from rotative movement.

Formed integral with one face of the casting 36 and radially outward of the adjacent end portion of the ratchet body 34 and the cam plate 45 are diametrically opposed pairs of parallel projections 47, each pair forming a guide slot 48. Slidably mounted in each of the guide slots 48 is a ratchet bar 49. The ratchet bars 49 are retained in slots 48 by means of a cap 50 which is suitably fixed to the casting. Springs 51 are interposed between the radially outermost ends of the bars 49 and the peripheral wall of the cap 50. The springs 51 bias the bars 49 inwardly to the cam plate 45 and the adjacent portion of the ratchet body 34, the inward bias being limited by the peripheral contour of the cam plate. The peripheral surface portion of the body 34 in the path of the bars 49 includes circumferentially spaced notches 34' providing chord-like flatted surface portions terminating in generally perpendicular wall segments 53. The wall segments 53 all have a generally radial orientation for cooperation with the outer ends of the ratchet bars 49 in a manner to be described.

Noting FIGS. 4 through 6 of the drawings, it may be seen that the outer periphery of the annular cam plate 45 includes diametrically opposite fiats 54 and, to either end thereof, relatively projected arcuate portions 55, one of which includes a further projected arcuate segment 56. Further, the extremities of the bars 49 which are radially innermost and adjacent the cam plate 45 include toothed ends, one side of each toothed end being flatted in a radial sense. The flatted portions of the bars 49 are arranged to oppose the wall segments 53 of the ratchet body 34 for purposes which shall soon become obvious.

As may be seen from the drawings, the operating handle 52 is normally biased inwardly of the shell 12 under the influence of the spring 39. In this position of the handle, a guide projection 47 on casting 36 abuts arcuate segment 56 on cam plate 45. At this time the cam portions 55 are so positioned to cam the bars 49 inwardly of their guide slots 48, clear of the ratchet body 34. In the event of a manual starting impulse being required, on pulling the handle 52, the cable 41 causes the casting 36 to turn until an opposite guide projection 47 hits the flat opposite edge of the cam plate projection 56 whereupon the plate 45 is induced to turn with the casting. With the cam in this latter position in relation to the casting 36, flats 54 dispose opposite the bars 49. This permits the bars 49 to project under the influence of the biasing springs 51 and engage in the adjacent notches in the ratchet body 34, the flatted surfaces of the bars disposing to engage and drive the ratchet body through the medium of the wall segments 53. This produces a drive of the shaft 19 through the medium of the ratchet body. There is no interference with this procedure since the relation of the sleeve 25 to the shaft portion 20 permits it to freely move with the shaft 19 and in the process thereof to cam up and over the slopes of the ramps 22 without interference therefrom.

On release of the operator member 52 which affords a manual impulse to the starter mechanism, cable 41 is coiled under the influence of the spring 39. The casting 36 turns therewith and it moves relative the cam 45 until the projection 56 has its first-mentioned flatted portion in its original abutting position to a guide bar 47. At this point the arcuate cam portions 55 arrive at a position to cam bars 49 inwardly of the slots 48, clear of the ratchet body 34 in a manner believed obvious.

Ratchet body 34 has a chord-like slot by means of which it anchors a hook extremity on one end of a coiled clutch spring 60. The spring 60 nests relative a cup 61 suitably secured to an engine crankshaft 62. Fixed in this cup is a biased dog member 70 (FIG. 9) which positions in the path of the hook on the other or outer end of the spring 60. Thus as a drive is effected in any instance through the ratchet body 34, the spring 60 turns therewith and its outer hook extremity engages the dog 70 in the cup 61 and through the medium of the dog causes the cup 61 to turn therewith. In view of the fact that the cup 61 is fastened to the engine crankshaft, one achieves a driving or starting impulse which is transmitted to the associated engine mechanism. Details of the engine structure are not disclosed since they constitute no particular part of the present invention. However, noting FIG. 1 of the drawings, the shell 12 includes support legs 64 by means of which it may be fixed to the engine housing outwardly of and relatively about the engine crankshaft. The specifics of the clutch mechanism are not important to the invention. However, by way of example, the means by which the starter mechanism may be clutched to the associated engine may be such as shown in our United States Letters Patent 3,070,081.

In the event a manual starting impulse is transmitted to the associated engine through the medium of the ratchet body 34 and engine backfire should occur, this backfire will be indicated by a reverse drive of the ratchet body and the shaft 19 therewith. In such event, the sleeve 25 will separate under the influence of the shaft portion 20 in the manner as described with reference to the transmission of a powered impulse for starting of the engine.

It should be here noted that a manual starting may be effected without interference from the ramps 22 and the gear face 21. This is due to the fact that on transmitting the starting impulse, it is in a direction that the sleeve 25 will freely cam over the ramp surfaces in a sense to avoid any interference therefrom.

Further, it will be noticed that here the invention provides for a selective starting through the medium of a powered impulse or a manual impulse, as circumstances or needs may require. Whether the starting is influenced manually or from a power source, it will be apparent that the cam plate 45 functions to prevent any interference by the ratchet dogs 49. It should be obvious that When the bars 49 are required to transmit a manual impulse to drive the ratchet body 34 and offer a starting impulse to an engine therethrough, once the operator element 52 is released, the ratchet bars are clear of the ratchet body and on starting of the engine there is no projection or riding of the ratchet bars in reference to the ratchet body.

In summary, the starter mechanism of the invention is selectively operable from a power source or a manual control. In either event, on the occurrence of backfire, the sleeve 25 is such to avoid any damage to the starter mechanism. In the event of manual control of the starter mechanism, the controls are such that they recess when the engine takes over and thereby avoid noise and starter wear in the process of the engine operation.

Based on the preceding, it may be seen that the starter unit of the invention is extremely versatile in character and widens the scope of application of the gas engine to which it connects. Not only is the present starter mechanism versatile in character but it is also simple to fabricate and more efficient and satisfactory in use.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention we claim:

1. An engine starter including a housing, shaft means rotatably mounted in said housing, said shaft means having to one end thereof a rectangular portion and to the other end a ratchet element, sleeve means having a releasable connection bearing on said rectangular portion of said shaft means, power drive means operatively related to said sleeve means whereby on energization of said drive means said shaft means may be driven through said sleeve means to transmit a starting impulse to an engine crank shaft, ratchet means mounting in said housing, said ratchet means being normally disengaged from said ratchet element, and manually controlled means selectively operable to cause said ratchet means to engage said ratchet element whereby to drive said shaft means independent of said power drive means.

2. An engine starter as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said sleeve means including a split sleeve, the portions of which are normally respectively biased to assume a containing and driving relation to the rectangular portion of said shaft means and rendered operative thereby on transmission of a starting impulse therethrough and the occurrence of engine backfire to per se accommodate the shaft reversing impulse produced by the engine backfire.

3. The starter structure as set forth in claim 2 characterized by said manually controlled means including cam means within said housing arranged to control said ratchet means and to disengage said ratchet means from said ratchet element subsequent and responsive to a termination of the operation of the manually controlled means.

4. An engine starter comprising a housing, a motor mounted to said housing having a drive shaft projected within said housing, a worm on said drive shaft, shaft means rotatably mounting in said housing and orienting in a sense perpendicular to and offset from said drive shaft, a worm gear being in said housing and mounted for rotation about a portion of said shaft means, a floating bearing accommodating the projected extremity of said drive shaft, said floating bearing having a flatted portion in bearing abutment with a wall of said housing and arranged thereby to maintain a positive driving mesh of said worm to said worm gear and means on said shaft means and on said worm gear operable to interengage on energizing of said motor whereby to produce a starting impulse which is transmitted through said shaft means to an engine crankshaft.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4 characterized by said means on said shaft means including portions arranged to functionally separate from said shaft means in the event of engine backfire.

6. An engine starter including, a housing, a shaft means therein, a gear rotatable about said shaft means, at least a single means projected from said gear in a sense displaced radially outward of said shaft means including a cam surface and an abutment surface, means positioned about and slidable on said shaft means biased to have portions seat to said gear in the path of said abutment surface, said last named means normally having a driving relation to said shaft means and operable on engagement by said abutment surface to drive said shaft means, and further means selectively operable to drive said shaft means including ratchet elements operative to interengage with a portion of said shaft means and effect a drive therethrough in the process of which said means slidable about said shaft means will move freely over said cam surface, said shaft means being arranged, on drive thereof, to transmit a driving impulse to an engine crankshaft or the like.

7. An engine starter for small gasoline engines and the like including a drive shaft, a worm thereon, a worm gear, means providing a floating bearing accommodating said drive shaft and arranged on drive of said drive shaft to maintain a positive engagement of said worm with said gear, a second shaft, said gear having a rotatable mount about said second shaft, means on said second shaft and said gear interrelating in response to an energization of said drive shaft to drive said second shaft by the medium of said gear, at least one of said interrelating means including split portions operative on an impulse being applied to reverse the rotation of said second shaft to separate and avoid damage to the starter mechanism thereby.

8. An engine starter comprising a housing, shaft means rotatably mounted in said housing and adapted to be clutched to an engine crankshaft or the like, said shaft means including a body portion having circumferentially spaced notches, a plate structure mounted for rotation about said shaft means in said housing having guide means thereon, spring biaised dogs arranged in said guide means, the bias on said dogs normally causing them to project inwardly in the direction of the circumferentially spaced notches in said body portion of said shaft means, means mounting in said housing to normally retain said dogs in a position free of said body portion of said shaft means and adapted on rotation of said plate structure to free said dogs for a driving engagement with the body portion of said shaft means whereby on rotation of said plate structure a starting impulse will be transmitted to the engine crankshaft.

9. An engine starter comprising a housing, a shaft means rotatably mounting in said housing, said shaft means being adapted to be clutched to an engine crankshaft or the like, means in said housing providing a bearing for said shaft means, a plate means rotatably mounting about a portion of said bearing and relative said shaft means, a manual drive means in connection with said plate means for rotating said plate means about said bearing, spring means interposed between said plate means and said housing to resiliently resist and accommodate a rotation of said plate means, spring biased dogs mounted in connection with said plate means and adjustable relative thereto in a radial sense, a cam plate in connection with and adjustable on said bearing, portions of which control the position of said dogs, means on said shaft means in the path of said dogs normally disengaged therefrom, said cam plate operating on rotation of said plate means to free said dogs for engagement with a portion of said shaft means whereby on rotation of said plate means said dogs will produce a drive of said shaft means to transmit a starting impulse to the associated engine crankshaft.

10. The structure as set forth in claim 9 characterized by said cam plate including a peripheral contour having diametrically opposed flatted portions and, to either end thereof, arcuately projected end portions, the positioning of said flatted portions in the path of said dogs enabling the projection of said dogs into driving engagement with said shaft means, said shaft means including a portion provided with circumferentially spaced notches to accommodate said dogs in driving engagement therewith.

11. The structure as set forth in claim 10 including a peripherally projected portion on said cam plate and projected means on said plate means cooperating to provide that on rotation of said plate means the flatted portions of said cam plate will be disposed oppositely said dogs and on termination of the rotation the arcuate projected end portions of said cam plate will cam said dogs free of said shaft means.

12. An engine starter unit including a housing, a motor on said housing having a drive shaft which projects therein, a worm on said drive shaft, a worm gear in said housing, means in said housing operative to maintain a positive engagement of said worm with said gear, cam means incorporated on and projected from one face of said gear, a shaft providing a pivot mount for said gear, means in connection with said pivot shaft providing for a clutching engagement thereof to a related engine crankshaft, said pivot shaft having a rectangular portion, means defining a split sleeve slidably mounting on the rectangular portion of said piovt shaft adjacent said one faceof said gear, said split sleeve being normally arranged to have a driving engagement with the rectangular portion of said pivot shaft, spring means biasing said sleeve to normally dispose portions thereof in the path of said cam means, said cam means providing means which on energizing of said motor will drive said pivot shaft through the medium of said sleeve and means holding said sleeve in its assembled relation arranged to accommodate the separation of its respective portions in response to a reverse rotation of said pivot shaft under the influence of an engine backfire.

13. The structure as set forth in claim 12 characterized by said pivot shaft further having means in connection therewith including peripherally notched portions and having means rotatable thereabout including ratchet elements operative to engage in said notches and drive said shaft means thereby.

14. A starter unit as set forth in claim 13 characterized by a cam ring adjustable about said pivot shaft normally positioned to prevent said ratchet elements to engage in said notches and operable on rotation of said rotatable means to displace from said ratchet elements whereby said ratchet elements will automatically engage in said notches for drive of said shaft means thereby.

15. An engine starter, comprising driving and driven shafts in end to end relation, a cylindrical sleeve member secured to one end of said driving shaft and extending toward said driven shaft, a driving connection between said cylindrical member at one end thereof and said driven shaft, the opposite end of said cylindrical member being formed as a ratchet wheel, a housing body mounting said driving shaft for relative rotation, pulley means rotatable on said housing in surrounding relation to said drivmg shaft, movable dog means carried by said pulley means and biased to engage said ratchet wheel, and a cam plate on said housing in surrounding relation to said driving shaft, said plate being in the plane of movement of said dog means and having a peripheral configuration presenting circumferentially spaced apart cam and fiat portions, said cam and flat portions being disposed alternately opposite said dog means in response to rotation of said pulley means to hold said dog means disengaged from said ratchet wheel and to allow such engagement, said cam portion being normally opposite said dog means, initial turning motion of said pulley means bringing said dog means opposite said fiat portion, and means responding to continued turning motion of said pulley means to maintain said fiat portion opposite said dog means.

16. An engine starter according to claim 15, characterized in that said last named means comprises an abutment portion forming a further part of the peripheral configuration of said cam plate and in adjacent relation to said flat portion thereof, said pulley means having means to engage said abutment portion upon the initial turning motion of said pulley means, said cam plate being rotatable on said housing for motion with said pulley means during continued turning motion thereof.

'17. An engine starter, comprising a shaft having means in connection therewith for transmitting a starting impulse to an engine crankshaft, said shaft having a portion of rectangular configuration, a pair of oppositely disposed plate elements formed to have mating portions thereof contain the rectangular portion of said shaft elements, means including a spring means operating on said plate elements to normally maintain the mating portions thereof in containing relation to the rectangular portion of said shaft element, means operable on said plate elements to rotate said elements in one direction and thereby to drive said shaft element through the medium of its contained rectangular portion to transmit a starting impulse to the References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,721,807 7/ 1929 Eisirninger et a]. 12379 1,882,594 10/1932 Hellner 123185 2,939,448 7/1960 Hansen 123179 2,950,780 8/1960 Millar l8541 SAMUEL LEVINE, Primary Examiner. RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Examiner. 

1. AN ENGINE STARTER INCLUDING A HOUSING, SHAFT MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING, SAID SHAFT MEANS HAVING TO ONE END THEREOF A RECTANGULAR PORTION AND TO THE OTHER END A RATCHET ELEMENT, SLEEVE MEANS HAVING A RELEASABLE CONNECTION BEARING ON SAID RECTANGULAR PORTION OF SAID SHAFT MEANS, POWER DRIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY RELATED TO SAID SLEEVE MEANS WHEREBY ON ENERGIZATION OF SAID DRIVE MEANS SAID SHAFT MEANS MAY BE DRIVEN THROUGH SAID SLEEVE MEANS TO TRANSMIT A STARTING IMPULSE TO AN ENGINE CRANKSHAFT, RATCHET MEANS MOUNTING IN SAID HOUSING, SAID RATCHET MEANS BEING NORMALLY DISENGAGED FROM SAID RATCHET ELEMENT, AND MANUALLY CONTROLLED MEANS SELECTIVELY OPERABLE TO CAUSE SAID RATCHET MEANS TO ENGAGE SAID RATCHET ELEMENT WHEREBY TO DRIVE SAID SHAFT MEANS INDEPENDENT OF SAID POWER DRIVE MEANS. 